Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Linus Torvalds about desktop Linux in 2016 (lemmy.ml)

submitted 3 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The desktop hasn't really taken over the world like Linux has in many other areas, but just looking at my own use, my desktop looks so much better than I ever could have imagined. Despite the fact that I'm known for sometimes not being very polite to some of the desktop UI people, because I want to get my work done. Pretty is not my primary thing. I actually am very happy with the Linux desktop, and I started the project for my own needs, and my needs are very much fulfilled. That's why, to me, it's not a failure. I would obviously love for Linux to take over that world too, but it turns out it's a really hard area to enter. I'm still working on it. It's been 25 years. I can do this for another 25. I'll wear them down.

[Torvalds, Linus (2016-04-07). Linus Torvalds still wants Linux to take over the desktop. Retrieved on 2016-04-07.](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds)

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 3 years ago

sigh ... I think FOSS, GNU/Linux in particular, can never reach mass adoption as long as the world is like this. libre software cannot beat proprietary software unless you pass a law that bans the creation of proprietary software, or I don't know, overthrow capitalism while we're at it. you can get a usb stick with Linux mint on it and a hard drive and go house to house in your neighborhood and offer free migration to linux and a life-time of IT support, and you've still accomplished nothing compared to a single advertising campaign of Microsoft or Google or Apple. our cause might be noble and our intentions pure, but that doesn't mean we can win against a company that can spend more on psychological manipulation of the masses than our collective income. if I recall correctly, Chrome OS got more market share in the last year than linux did since its beginning. if you get an average person to get Linux, I bet there's a good chance the first program they wanna install is google chrome. so if you give them the freedom of installing it, you have enabled them to give up their freedom. it may seem contradictary, but I think freedom has to be enforced. like what FSF says, optinal freedom is not enough, if our goal is to set people free.

on a second thought, I don't think even the collapse of capitalism would end the dominance of proprietary software, spying and tracking capabilities of proprietary software are still too tempting for any government to resist. if it's free then you can just fork it without the crap. that wouldn't be desirable for an institution trying to stay in control.

so do I think foss developers and foss users are wasting their time? hell no! that would be like criticising vegans for not eating meat, or environmentalists for not using products that have a bad effect on the evironment. it just that I think we won't achieve our goals as long as we don't seek fundamental change. ok, I must stop rambling xD

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 years ago (2 children)

I don't think desktop Linux will ever become huge if it stays like it is right now. It can become a technically superior product (including support for/by most commonly used software), but even that is completely worthless if it's not pushed onto people very aggressively. It only has a chance when it comes preinstalled as the default option on many mainstream laptops/desktops and with large companies doing tons of advertising for their devices/OSes. If that doesn't happen, it will never grow beyond nerd circles, regardless of how good it may be.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 3 years ago (1 children)

"I'll wear them down."